Box machine



F. M. JOSLIN Nov. 14; 1933.

BOX MACHINE Filed June 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Grumma Nov. 14, 1933. JQSLIN 1,935,032

BOX MACHINE Filed June 15, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nev. 14, 1933.

F. M. JOSLIN Filed June 15 1932 BOX MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 14,1933

Box MACHINE Frank M." Joslin, Amsterdam, N. 15., assignorto Inman Manufacturing Company, Inc., Amsterdam, N. .Y., a corporation of New York Application June 15, 1932. Serial No. 617,457 I 19 Claims.

7 This invention relates to box making machines :of the type shown in my prior Patents 1,356,771

and 1,814 =,0i3, and is concerned particularly with certain improvements relating to the plunger employed in such machines.

In machines of thistypethe plunger is made up of two relatively movable parts, one part having I wings pivot ally supported thereon and adaptedto' be swung so as to bend inwardly the I edge portions on two opposite sides of a box blank, thewings being caused to operatefby relative ,movement between the two parts of the plunger The use of such pivoted wingsor folders is generally satisfactory, but in some cases it has' been found that such pivoted folders donot operate withentire satisfaction and introduce ,cer-

tain complications into the mechanism.

One object of the present invention is to provide a plunger for use in this type of machine in which pivoted foldersare obviated and a,sim pler and more positive dy 1' A further object is to provide folders which are yieldably mounted on the plunger and normally in the die and iold'such edges inwardly intothe path of the descending plunger, the folders'themselves'being so arranged as to contact with stationary stops to arrest their movement while the plunger continues to move into the die to .finish the ,inwardbending of theside fiaps on, the box.

A still further, object-of theinvention-is to provide asplunger builtupof parts which can bereadily changed to permit variation in the size of the plunger in-the manufacture ofb'oxes of different sizes. v y r 1 3 Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the following specification taken with theaccomr panying drawings forming ;a part thereof, and

in which drawings: f l 1 Figure l'is aside view of a construction embodying my improvements, parts of a die being cooperate; 1

, Figure 2 is an end View partly in section of the construction shown in Figure;1, certain parts of the plunger being in a difierent position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side View similar to '50 Figure 1 but showing the plunger. ina difi'erent position; s

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure3 but show-,

ing the, position of :the plunger after it has enthe folders;

folding construction held in position to contact with the edges of a box 7 shown with which the, plunger is'adapted to tend the die and also showing the position of.

Figure. 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the body part of the plunger taken substantially on the line 5-5 oflFigure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the1ine 6-6 of Figure 3 showing particularlythemanner of attaching the bottom plate of the plunger, to its suppo tin ba T A Figure 7 is a transverse section'on line '7-7 of Figure 3. showing,indetailthe friction means forholding the folders in the body part of the 5 u e 7 V v Figure ,8 is a sectional View on the line 8%8of Figure 1 showing a means for attaching the body part of the plungerto the upper portion thereof;

Figure 9' is aplan view of the plunger and parts 7 of the'die on either sidethereof; and r Figure 10 ,is a perspective, of the standard to which the body part of the die is secured; Referring to the drawings in detail by'thereference charactersthereon, the plun'gercomprises 7 a'main body part which is made up {of two side .membersIO andend members 11 and 12, 'allof which are. bolted or otherwise rigidly "secured together. Also, anend plate 13, preferably hardened, is,attached to each, end of the, body part and suitably'secured thereto." A standard 15 is secured to [the body part of the plunger, this standard at its lower ends comprising spaced por- :time or legs 15a. 'The connection between the legs 15d of the standard and the body part of the plunger is formed as illustrated in Figure 8. Each of hthe legs 15a on the outside thereof is' provided with a slot 152) and a plate 16 is bolted to the top surface of each side' member. 10 by bolts 16a, the plates 16 engagingthe slots in the legs 1511. By this arrangement, itwill be understood that the body part of the plunger made up of the members 10,11,12 and 13 is capable 'of slight lateral movement relative to'thelegs 15a ofthe standard; One of the legs 15a adjacent its lower end is provided with a stud'l'? and a corresponding but shorter stud 18 is secured to theother' leg 15a,the latter stud being'surrounded by a spring lQwhich bears against the adjacentplate 12. The spring 19 will yield and;permit late'ral 190 movement of thebody part of the plunger toward the left in Figure 5 as'heretofore described. The

I Stud 17 is arranged to contact with the'adjacent member, 12-and serve as a'stop to limit the lateral movement toward the rightof the body part of the plunger relative tothe legs 15a of the stand- ,ard 15." The purpose of such lateral movability of the body part oi the plungerwill be presently pointed out. I s

Theplunger, as a whole, may be moved toward plate serving to engage the box blanks fed over the die and force the same down into the die before the body part of the plunger comes into operation. The contact plate 21 is secured to the lower end of a rectangular bar 22 which extends upwardly through the body part of the plunger and through the standard 15. The plate 21 is movable toward and from the body part of the plunger and is provided with guides 21a which engage depressions on the outer surfaces of the members 10 of the body part. The bar 22 is frictionally held in the standard 15 by a spring pressed friction member 23 mounted on a plate 24 attached to the upper part of the standard 15. that it will move up and down with the standard 15 but will also yield or slide relative thereto. A spring latch or stop is mounted in the upper end of the plate 24, the same consisting ofa bolt or other rounded member 25 mounted in a base 25 on the plate 24 and backed up by a spring 27 held in place by a threaded plug. The bar 22 is pro vided with upper and lower recesses 28 in which the member 25 may seat when the bar 22 is in one position or the other relative to the standard 15.

In Figure 1 the parts are illustrated in the position they occupyv when the plunger starts to move toward the die. When in that position the member 25 rests in the upper depression 28 of the bar 22. After the member 21 enters the die and reaches the bottom thereof and its motion is stopped, the body part of the plunger continues to move downwardly and also enters the die until the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4., When in that position, the member 25 is seated in the lower depression 28 of the bar 22. When the plunger is lifted from the die, the contact plate 21 and bar 22 are carried upwardlyby reason of the frictional engagement of the latter with the standard 15 until the upper, limit of movement of the plunger is reached. At that time, the bar 22 and contact plate 21 are again forced downwardly into the position shown in Figure 1 by means of a lever 30 pivoted on a support 31 and operated by a link 32 from any suitable part of the box machine as illustrated in my said prior'Patent 1,814,03.

Referring more particularly to the folders, it will be noted that at each corner of the body part of the plunger I provide posts 33which are preferably arranged in rectangular recesses in the members 11 and held in positionby the plates 13. Also guides 34 extend upwardly from the. body part of the plunger in which the upper ends of the posts are received. Theposts 33 are slidably supported inthe body part of the plunger, and to frictionally hold the same relative to the plunger a friction device 35 is arranged to engage each of the posts. One of these devices is shown in detail in Figure '7 and consists of a plunger 36 backed up by a spring 36a. Each of the posts 33 at its'lower' end is'provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending folding portion or foot 3'7, these portions extending downwardly beyond the lower face of the plunger and laterally beyond the side face of the same. lhe inner surface 37a of these folding portions is inclined downwardly and outwardly and they con- The friction on the bar 22 is so regulated,

tofore referred to.

stitute the surfaces of the folders which are adapted to contact with the edge portions of a blank in the die and bend such edge portions inwardly into the path of the body part of the plunger as illustrated particularly in Figure 3 in which the upper edges B' of a blank B are shown as engaged by the surfaces 37a of the folders.

After the edges B of the blank have been folded inwardly a sufficient extent to be engaged by the body part of the plunger, it is of course necessary to arrest further movement of the folders into the die. The upper edges of the die blocks D, D are recessed as illustrated at 40 to receive the folders when'the plunger descends. But these recesses 40 areshallow and the bottoms of the same, indicated at-41, act as stops against which the folders 37 engage when the plunger moves downwardly to a certain extent. When the down-' ward movement of the folders is arrested, it is apparent that the same must yield relative to the body part of the plunger in order to permit the latter to move downwardly to the bottom of the die to complete the folding of the blank as illustrated in Figure 4. Such yielding of the folders relative to the body part of the plunger is permitted by the frictional members 35 here- In other words, these members yield against the action of the springs 36a and permit the folders to remain stationary while the plunger continues to move into the die.

When the plunger is withdrawn from the die it is of course necessary that the folders be returned to their normal operative position in order to be effective on the next downward stroke of the plunger. To accomplish this result a stationary stop 42 is arranged to contact with the upper end of the post 33 of each of said folders as the plunger is withdrawn from the die. The contacts 42 are supported in any suitable manner as by means of a stationary framework 43 rigidly mounted on the frame of the machine. The stationary stops 42 are made adjustable as shown particularly in Figure 1 so that they can be set at the proper position to cause the folders to be accurately positioned relative to the lower face of the plunger after the plunger has moved upwardly.

' A brief description of the operation of my device will be suificient. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, as the plunger is moved toward the die the contact plate 21 first engages the blank B and forces the same into the die leaving the upper edges thereof in a vertical position. As the plunger continues to move downwardly the folders 3'7 engage the edges B of the blank and bend the same inwardly in the path of the body part of the plunger. The yielding connection between the standard 15 and the bar 22 permits the body part of the plunger to continue its downward movement after the contact plate 21 reaches the bottom of the die. After the folders have performed their function, they come in contact with the stationary stops 41 formed on the die and the yielding connections 35 between the folders and the body part of the plunger permits the plunger to continue its downward move- .ment and the operation of folding the box is completed. Preferably the side D of the die is made movable and by suitable mechanism '(not shown) is forced against the body part of the plunger to tightly compress the folded parts of the box, and to permit the plunger to yield laterally against 'such compression the spring 19 is provided.

When the plunger is withdrawn from the die, the lever 30 engages the upper end of the bar 22 and pushes the contact plate 21 back to its position "below the die. as illustrated in Figure 1. Also,

as the, plunger'moves upwardly each of theposts 33 of the folders engages one ofthe stops 42 which serves to restore each of the folders to its opdition for another operation.

, erative position, and the'parts are then' in cons plunger movableintoand out of the die, a

In devices of this kind it .is very desirable'to provide for operating on boxes of different-sizes. .This of course means thatthe size of jthe'c'o'ntact plate and of thebody part of the plunger must be changed. My arrangement clearly facilitates this result. Whenit is desired to change from one size of box to another; all that is necessary is to detach the body part of the-diefrom the standard 15 which can be done by merely removing the plates 16 which constitute the only connection betwen the parts. Likewise, thesmuiar connection between the bar 22 and thecontact plate 21' can be removed and a newcontact plate and new'plunger corresponding'to the size v v a a V of the box desired can be readily substituted. a

The invention is of coursezcapable of embodiment in various forms which differ in detail from that heretofore described, and it is to beunderstood thatv the invention is not limited to such details except as required by the appended claims.

Having thus described 'the invention what is claimed as new and desired to'be secured by Letters Patent is: 1

1. In a machine of the kind'describe l, die, a plunger movable into and out of the die, a plu- U rality of folders slidably carried by the plunger and normally positioned'in advance of the plunger as the same moves'towar'd the 'die, said folders being arranged to contact withthe edges of a blank in the die and bendthe same inwardly into the path of the plunger, and means arranged in the path of said folders to, contact. therewith and arrest their forward movement as the plunger moves into the die. r I

2. In a machineof the kind described, a die, a plungermovable intoand out of the die, folders movable with the plunger as itm'oves toward the die, yieldable friction means for holding said folders in' position to contact with the edge of a box blank in the die and bend the edge of the same inwardly into thepath of the plunger, and means on the die toarrest further movement of the folders toward the die after the edges of the blank are bent inwardly.

3. In a machine of'thekind described,=a die, a plunger movable into and out of the die, folders carried byfthe plunger and movable therewith toward the die, friction means for holding said folders in operative position to ,contactwith" the edges of a box blank in the die and bend the same into the path of the plunger, and means on'the' die for contacting with and arresting further movement of the folders while the plunger con-' tinues'to move intothe die to complete the folds ing operation. I

4. In a machine of the kind described, a die, a plunger movable into and out of the die, folders carried by the plunger and movable therewith to ward the die, said die having parts arranged in the path of said folders to contact with andarrest further movement ofthe same as the plunger moves into the die. 'f r r 5. In a machine of the kind described, a die, a plunger movable into and out'of the die, folders slidably carried by the: plunger, frictional meansfor holding said folders inoperative position to contact with the edges of a box blank in the die and bend the same inwardly into the path and arrest further movement'of said folders as of; the plunger, means-arranged to contact with the plunger moves into the die; and means for restoring said folders to their operative position when the plunger ismovediout of the die.

I 6. Inamachine of the kind described, a die,

plurality'of folders slidably carried by the plunger,

yieldable friction-means for normally holding said folders inoperative position as the plunger is moved toward-the die, stationary means arranged to contact withand stop the movement of said folders while the plunger moves into the a die, and meansto restore said folders to operative "position when the plunger'is moved out of the die.

moved out-of the die.

'1. Inam'achine of the kind de mbedga die, f a plunger movable'into and out of the die, folders 8. In 'amachineof the kind described, a die, 7

. a plunger movable into and out of the die folders carried by the plunger and movable relative thereto, eachof said folders-havinga part nor-1 mally arranged in front of the plunger to contact with the edge of a box blank in the die and bend the sameinwardly into the' path of the plunger, stopsto limit the movement of the folderstoward the die when the plunger moves into the die, and stops to contact with said folders andrestore thesame to their normalposition when the plunger moves out of the die. 7,

'9. In a machine of the kind describeda die,

a plunger movable into andout of the die, folders slidably mounted on the plunger and movable therewith,1each of said folders having a partnormally positioned tocontact with the edge of a '-ibox;blank in the die and fold the same'inwardly beneath the plunger; stopszto arrest the; move- 3 '-ment of said folders when the plunger moves into the die, and adjustable stops to engage said ifolderS and return the same to normal position hen the plunger is withdrawn from the die.

10. 'A plunger for box machines having, in combination, means for moving the same toward and from a die, said plunger comprising abody part adapted to enter the die, folders slidably supported on said body part and movable relative thereto, each of said folders having a portion normally extending beyond the front face of said body part- I and laterally thereof, whereby'to contact with'the edges of a blank in the'die and fold the same beneath said body part as itmoves into the die,

stationary means arranged to contact with said folders and move thesame out of, said normal position when thebody part of the plunger enters the die, and other means for restoring said folders to said normal position when theplunger is with-;

drawn from the die.

11. IA plunger for box machines having, in combination, a body part, a plurality of folders carried by said body part, each of said folders comprising a post frictionally mounted in said body part and each having at its lower end a folding portion projecting downwardly and outwardly and having a surface adapted to'contact with and force the edge of a box blank inwardly beneath the body part of the plunger.

12. A plunger for box machines having, in combination, a body part, a plurality of posts carried by said body part, each of said posts having'a portion rigid therewith at its lower end and positioned to contact with and fold the edge of a box blank inwardly beneath the body part, of the plunger, and means for yieldably holding said posts in said body part.

13. In a box machine, a die, a plunger movable toward and from the die, said plunger having, a plurality of folders mounted thereon and movable relative thereto, friction means engaging each of said folders to yieldably hold the same relative to the plunger, each of said folders having a folding part rigid therewith and provided with a folding surface projecting downwardly and outwardly relative to the, plunger, means associated with the die to contact with said folders and arrest the forward movement thereof when the plunger moves into the die, and means to restore said folders to normal position when the plunger moves out of the die.

14. In a box machine, a die, a plunger movable toward and from the die, a plurality'of posts slidably carried by the plunger, friction means for holding said posts relative to the plunger, each of said posts at its lower end'having a folding portion rigid therewith which serves when in normal position to contact with and bend the edges of a box blank beneath the plunger when the plunger moves toward the die, stationary stops associated with the die to arrest forward movement of said folding portions when the plunger enters the die, and stationary means to contact with said posts and move said folding portions into normal folding position when the plunger is moved away from the die. 1

15. In a box machine, a die, a' plunger movable toward and from the die, a plurality of folders frictionally carried by the plunger, each of said folders comprising a post having a folding portion rigidly secured thereto, means frictionally engaging each of said posts to yieldably holdsaid'folding portions in normal position to'contact with a box blank in the die and fold-the edges of the same inwardly, means on the die to contactwith said folders and arrest the movement thereof as the plunger moves into the die, and an adjustable stop arranged to'contact with each of said posts to force said folders back into normal position when the plunger moves out of the die.

, 16. A plunger for box machines having, in combination, a body part having side and end members spaced apart to form an open rectangular construction, a standard extending downwardly inthe space between said side and end members,

and said contact plate to said bar, whereby body parts and contact plates of different sizes may be readily substituted, and means on said standard for yieldably holding saidbar in a plurality of positions.

18. A plunger for box machines having, in combination, a body part formed of spaced side and end members, a standard connected to said body part and extending downwardly in the space between said side and end members, a stud mounted in one side of said standard and arranged to engage the adjacent end member, a stud on the opposite side of said standard, a spring surrounding said last named stud and engaging the adjacent end member, said body part being movable laterally relative to said standard against the action of said spring.

19. A plunger for box machines having, in combination, a rectangular body part, a post mounted in said body part adjacent each corner thereof, means for frictionally holding said posts relative to the body part, each of said posts at its lower end having a folding portion arranged to contact with and fold the edges of a box blank beneath the body part of the plunger, and means to reciprocate said body part. V

' FRANK M. JOSLIN. 

